Celebration damaged in Bahamas - Topic Powered by eve community

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Picture of Jim C.

Posted

Mr O- Better be careful there. I'm sure Carnival knows all about getting a proper shaft and screw guy since they are very good at providing those services to their customers.

I hate to see a cruise cancelled. I wonder where the closest dry dock that can hold the Celebration is (that is available). If not close, I can't believe they can get in and out with a repair in a week. I wouldn't hold my breath that the 28th cruise will not suffer the same fate. 50% for a lost vacation is not a very grand gesture in my book. If this were beyond CCL's control, I could understand that, but damaging the ship while docking is something a good crew should NOT do.

CCL Fantasy 1990
CCL Celebration 1995
CCL Victory 2005
CCL Conquest 2005
CCL Spirit June 2006
NCL Dream October 2006
RCCL Mariner OTS June 2007
CCL Freedom June 2008
CCL Holiday July 2008

Booked on Victory June 2009 - Southern Caribbean!

Posts: 3111 | Location: DFW, Texas | Registered: January 09, 2006

Ignored post by Jim C. posted

Administrator
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Picture of Dave Beers

Posted

I noticed Carnival didn't mention anything about reimbursing people who now have useless air reservations for the August 21 cruise.

Actually there is a drydock facility in Jax - Atlantic Marine. Not sure if it currently in use. There are also facilities in Charleston, if I recall correctly.

Dave

Posts: 9019 | Location: Athens, Alabama | Registered: December 12, 2005

Ignored post by Dave Beers posted

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Picture of Jim C.

Posted

Yup, that will be an interesting discussion. I bet the canned answer is "If you had bought our over priced, highly inflated air fare, we could reimburse you." That will be a bitter pill to swallow for those that didn't. They should at least offer to do that (since again, they are at fault)

Posts: 3111 | Location: DFW, Texas | Registered: January 09, 2006

Ignored post by Jim C. posted

Sinbad

Cruiser

Posted

Talk about "shaft and screw". We were on the Celebration when it ran aground in Nassau. We were at the stern of the ship when this incident took place. I told my family that we were going to run aground and my son told my wife to "hold on". I think we should get more than $100 per person since we did not make our primary destination. The ones on the next cruise are just having their itinerary altered but they are getting the same $100 per person off that we received...when we entirely missed our destination. Is that wrong?

alsdkjf

Posts: 5 | Location: asdf | Registered: May 06, 2006

Ignored post by Sinbad posted

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Posted

Hi Sinbad,

So it was that obvious that you were about to hit bottom? Wow!

I personally think Carnival went to the cheap side in your case.

Did the ship have noticeable motion or noise when it hit? What did the Captain say?

Dave

Posts: 9019 | Location: Athens, Alabama | Registered: December 12, 2005

Ignored post by Dave Beers posted

NeverOnCarnival

New Cruiser

Posted

Paid for a Shipwreck

Carnival is the worst cruise line ever! I was aboard the Aug 12th 2006 sailing of the Celebration that went aground at Nassau on the 15th. I watched as we attempted to pull into port next to the Sensation, missed, then the Majesty of the Seas, missed, and continued to "drift" and hit the bottom of the sea floor near the peninsula. The weather was calm, no winds or rough seas. As we pulled out of the Nassau Port an announcement was made from the Navigation Bridge stating they had some technical difficulties due to high winds/seas…. LIARS! Then they later announced there was a medical emergency and someone had to be evacuated off the ship. The comedian on board was supposed to catch a flight in the Bahamas so they got him off the ship. Of course, the passengers stayed on the ship. We never set foot on shore! Carnival gave each passenger a 100 dollar credit and 25% off a cruise taken before December 2007. The incident was their fault and Carnival stated per the contract we all agree to when setting sail, they did not have to reimburse anything, even though it was a Carnival Cruise line failure. I have traveler’s insurance which is void because Carnival is responsible for reimbursing it’s passengers under these circumstances! I was a returning customer when I boarded the Celebration. Now I’m a NEVER AGAIN returning customer.

Posts: 1 | Registered: August 18, 2006

Ignored post by NeverOnCarnival posted

Sinbad

Cruiser

Posted

quote:
So it was that obvious that you were about to hit bottom? Wow!

I personally think Carnival went to the cheap side in your case.

Did the ship have noticeable motion or noise when it hit? What did the Captain say?

It was very obvious that we were going to hit bottom. It was so shallow and clear that we could see features on the bottom. Also, we were only between 20 and 30 feet from the shore. The screws were stirring up the sand prior to us hitting. After we struck bottom there was quite a bit of vibration on the ship even after we got out into deeper water. The bottles and glasses in the bar area were all rattling around there was so much vibration. The vibration remained until they shut down the one engine. I have some offshore oil drilling experience and have also been involved with the designs of other ocean going vessels and in my opinion in would have been prudent on Carnivals part to inspect the ship with divers or underwater cameras at the very least before setting sail for Jacksonville. There was really no way of knowing if there was hull damage or not...I'm guessing they didn't do this because they didn't have to (No Coast Guard jurisdication in the Bahamas) and because they didn't want to take a chance on not getting back to Jax in time for the next cruise to leave! Interesting, however, that once were back in US waters where the USCG has jurisdiction that they had to then inspect the ship with divers. Seems to me that the possibility of losing a buck or two meant more than the safety of the passengers.

The Captain said very little after this incident and was never to been seen by the passengers afterwards. They blamed it on a technical difficulty which is a meaningless and pretty broad term.

Dave

alsdkjf

Posts: 5 | Location: asdf | Registered: May 06, 2006

Ignored post by Sinbad posted

HeinBloed

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Posted

quote:
IMPORTANT NOTICE

CANCELLED SAILING

CELEBRATION AUGUST 21, 2006 DEPARTURE

August 17, 2006

Dear Carnival Guest,

The Celebration ship has experienced a technical problem with the propulsion system that will require repairs to be made at a dry dock facility. This will require the cancellation of the August 21, 2006 sailing in order to complete the repairs.

Carnival will provide you with a full refund of your cruise fare and any pre-paid shore excursions. In addition, you will receive a 50% discount off a future 3 to 7 day Carnival cruise (excluding Alaska, Christmas and New Years) departing prior to December 13, 2007. This discount applies to the cruise fare only. Please understand that this offer is non-transferable.

We sincerely apologize for this situation and thank you again for choosing Carnival for your vacation. We look forward to welcoming you aboard another Carnival cruise in the near future.

Sincerely,

Vicki L. Freed., CTC

Senior Vice President – Sales and Marketing

Good Morning,

if incidents like this happens and you arrange your flights and transfers on your own:

If you uses cheap flights, redemption of mileage etc.:

Do they refund such costs like penalties for rebooking, cancellation fees, retransfer of mileage or loss of mileage as well?

Regards,
HeinBloed

Posts: 2619 | Location: In the heart of Europe: Germany... | Registered: May 23, 2006

Ignored post by HeinBloed posted

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Picture of IslandCruz

Posted

Wow,

This story just keeps getting more interesting! I know for sure it is very shallow there where the bow of the ships dock. You can walk down the pier and see the bottom.

Even though I am a carnival fan, I will agree I would not have wanted to be on a damaged ship in the open atlantic. And I think their first offer of $50 was rediculous.

I feel bad for the passengers who just had their cruise cancelled. Machines fail, and things happen, that we all accept as life, but I think it should have been handled better as well.

I hope Dave reads this..As I have a theory too. I think the Side Thrusters may have failed during docking. Then with only forward/reverse motion, they backed too far in the shallow water and damaged the propeller/screw?

It will be ironic, but I will bet a Nickel to a Doughnut that the ship is taken back to Freeport for drydock repairs. I even think there is a chance the ship could be retired as a carnival brand if has substantial damage.

There have been rumors for years they were going to retire the Holiday. They found a market for Her and kept in service. They found a market for Celebration and did the same moving Her to Jacksonville, as She will go under the bridge with the exact capacity they need for that market. Anyone remember their sister ship that is no longer a Carnival Ship?

It was the Jubilee.

Just some thoughts and musings

IslandCruz

* DISCLAIMER; I personally do not endorse or recommend any of the links that are currently being shown in the posted messages.

Posts: 5555 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: August 22, 2005

Ignored post by IslandCruz posted

Sinbad

Cruiser

Posted

Do you think Carnival will ever "Come Clean" with what really happened or will they cover it up like most large companies do and just hope people forget?

alsdkjf

Posts: 5 | Location: asdf | Registered: May 06, 2006

Ignored post by Sinbad posted

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Picture of Dave Beers

Posted

I think it would have to pretty bad before Carnival would retire the ship. The Jax cruises are selling well and they could recoup the repair costs in short order.

Dave

Posts: 9019 | Location: Athens, Alabama | Registered: December 12, 2005

Ignored post by Dave Beers posted

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Posted

You are correct about the ship going to The Bahamas for repairs. Celebration Goes To Drydock.

From the little information I have read, I figure they at least have to replace the shaft seal and bearing where the shaft exits the hull. That is where the oil spill had to come from, which indicates it was damaged. The shaft and screw could be serviceable. Even with no damage, they couldn't use that shaft if the bearing was damaged.

Dave

Posts: 9019 | Location: Athens, Alabama | Registered: December 12, 2005

Ignored post by Dave Beers posted

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Picture of IslandCruz

Posted

Thanks Dave,

I was just guessing as I know they have drydock facilities in Freeport. The article was encouraging about it only taking a week. But did you see the part about engine damage? Wonder what that was about. I agree they could recoup the cost. They will have to or lose the Market. I won't swear to this, but I am pretty sure that is the only ship they have besides Holiday that will clear the bridge to JAX Port.

I hope they get Her fixed, is an easy 5-6 hour drive for me. I hope for the day they put a ship in Charleston, they do a few specialty runs a year but is a bit on the pricey side. It would be a perfect tourist port, if they could fill the ship.

I love Ships, and would much rather chat with you about them, than debate dress codes

Best to you,
IslandCruz

Posts: 5555 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: August 22, 2005

Ignored post by IslandCruz posted

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Posted

Island Cruz- The sister ship you mentioned was the Jubilee. I don't know what became of her, but she is not longer in Carnival's fleet. And I agree with Dave in that it would take a lot of damage to push Carnival into retiring the Celebration. They are making money with her now and they don't have a replacement AND they don't want to have to refund all the cruises. When they retire a ship they stop booking cruises on it long before they plan on stopping.

Posts: 3111 | Location: DFW, Texas | Registered: January 09, 2006

Ignored post by Jim C. posted

Raoul Fiebig

Cruise Commodore
Picture of Raoul Fiebig

Posted

Jim

the "Jubilee" was transferred to Carnival Cruise Lines' sister company P&O Cruises Australia in late 2004 and has since been named the "Pacific Sun":

Best regards,

Raoul Fiebig

Posts: 8338 | Location: Paderborn, Germany | Registered: June 07, 2002

Ignored post by Raoul Fiebig posted

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Picture of Jim C.

Posted

Wow, she looks great! Glad to here she is still about. Thanks for the info Raoul.

Posts: 3111 | Location: DFW, Texas | Registered: January 09, 2006

Ignored post by Jim C. posted

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Cruise Commodore
Picture of IslandCruz

Posted

Raoul,

Thanks too for the info. I got curious and looked up some info on my first Carnival Cruise Ship the Carnivale. I really loved that ship, partly because was first, but in retrospect too because she was a Classic Liner. She had real wood and crystal chandeliers, she was nearly 40 years old when I sailed on her. I was surprised she was still in service.

I don't know how to post a pic, but here is a link. It takes just awhile to load as has multiple pics.

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/EmpressOfBritainPCs3.html

Best to all,
IslandCruz

* DISCLAIMER; I personally do not endorse or recommend any of the links that are currently being shown in the posted messages.

Posts: 5555 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: August 22, 2005

Ignored post by IslandCruz posted

Raoul Fiebig

Cruise Commodore
Picture of Raoul Fiebig

Posted

IslandCruz,

yes, the former "Carnivale" is one of the few remaining former trans-Atlantic steamers. Here's a recent picture from my collection:

Best regards,

Raoul Fiebig

Posts: 8338 | Location: Paderborn, Germany | Registered: June 07, 2002

Ignored post by Raoul Fiebig posted

Moderator
Cruise Commodore
Picture of IslandCruz

Posted

Thanks Raoul,

Wow, how interesting. Looks like they added a row of cabins or something in the front where the poles used to be.

Anyone heard any updates on Celebration?

Best regards,
IslandCruz

Posts: 5555 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: August 22, 2005

Ignored post by IslandCruz posted